Quai Des Orfèvres (1947) ****
After initially being banned from filmmaking, due to the controversy surrounding his previous film Le Corbeau (1942), Henri-Georges Clouzot returned five years later (thanks largely to lobbying by artists and fellow filmmakers) to make Quai Des Orfèvres (1947), an excellent noirish police procedural re: the murder of a smutty old businessman.
Louis Jouvet anchors the film as Inspector Antoine—full of interesting traits, from his lame right arm to his varying treatment of suspects (both tender and cruel) to his status as a single father raising a mixed race child (very uncommon for any film from 1947). Wife and music hall singer Marguerite (aka Jenny Lamour) (Suzy Delair), jealous husband and pianist Maurice (Bernard Blier), and friend and photographer Dora (Simone Renant) all play into the investigation.
Some of the acting feels a bit dated, but the top notch editing, the streak of humor running throughout, and the progressive treatment of an LGBTQ character all make for a fine film.
Louis Jouvet anchors the film as Inspector Antoine—full of interesting traits, from his lame right arm to his varying treatment of suspects (both tender and cruel) to his status as a single father raising a mixed race child (very uncommon for any film from 1947). Wife and music hall singer Marguerite (aka Jenny Lamour) (Suzy Delair), jealous husband and pianist Maurice (Bernard Blier), and friend and photographer Dora (Simone Renant) all play into the investigation.
Some of the acting feels a bit dated, but the top notch editing, the streak of humor running throughout, and the progressive treatment of an LGBTQ character all make for a fine film.
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